How Long Does Oxymorphone Stay in Your System

How Long Does Oxymorphone Stay in Your System Addiction Drug Use Opioids Print How Long Does Oxymorphone Stay in Your System? By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 13, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on October 18, 2019 Matthew Bennett / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Opioids Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Oxymorphone is an opiate analgesic used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It works by changing the way the body responds to pain. It is available in intermediate-release forms and extended-release forms, used when patients need continuous, 24-hour relief of severe pain that cant be controlled with non-narcotic pain medications. It isnt used for pain relief for short-term pain. Oxymorphone has a high risk for interactions with other drugs and can produce life-threatening reactions. It is important for anyone taking this medication to know how it affects your system and what you must do to prevent deadly side effects. The brand names for oxymorphone include Opana, Numorphan, Numorphone. The street names include biscuits, blue heaven, and blues. Oxymorphones Length of Activity and Detectability The  half-life  of oxymorphone ranges from 9 to 11 hours, meaning that half of the drug is no longer active in that time frame, but half of the dose is still active. It takes five to six half-lives for a drug to be almost fully eliminated from your system. In animal studies, it took up to five days for 90 percent of the drugs metabolites to pass through the system. It can be detected in the urine for two to four days. A urine drug screen will test positive for opiates when you are taking oxymorphone. How It Works Oxymorphone acts on receptors throughout your body, including those in the brain and nervous system that respond to pain. For the medication to safely reach a consistent level, your doctor will prescribe an increasing dose or frequency over the course of a few days. Especially during the first three days of taking oxymorphone or when dosages are changed, you need to be vigilant in reporting any signs of an overdose or difficulty breathing, signs you arent getting enough oxygen such as blue lips and skin. The tablets are formulated for slowly releasing the active drug so that you will have pain relief for 12 hours. But be aware that the active drug from each extended-release tablet is still at work in your system for 24 to 48 hours before it has been broken down and excreted in your urine and stool. Most of the drug has left your body after five days. The amount of drug released by the tablets is affected by whether or not you have food in your stomach, so its recommended to take it an hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Oxymorphone can be a habit-forming drug, and you may experience withdrawal symptoms if it is discontinued. What to Avoid When Taking Oxymorphone Do not drink alcohol or take any street drugs while taking oxymorphone or you risk overdosing and death. You must not use oxymorphone at the same time as benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, or you risk profound sedation, breathing suppression, coma, and death. Before you start taking or stop taking any other medications, supplements, herbal remedies, or over-the-counter drugs, discuss them with your doctor as they may interact with the oxymorphone. You shouldnt breastfeed while taking oxymorphone. Use while pregnant can result in neonatal withdrawal syndrome. Avoiding an Overdose It is important that you dont take more oxymorphone or take it more frequently than your doctor has prescribed, as that can lead to an overdose, which can be fatal. Crushing the tablets can cause the release of too much medication at once and lead to an overdose. Store your medications with care as a single dose can be fatal for a child. Some of the symptoms of an oxymorphone overdose include: Difficulty breathingSlowed or stopped breathingExcessive sleepinessDizzinessFaintingLimp or weak musclesNarrowing or widening of the pupilsCold, clammy skinSlow or stopped heartbeatBlue color of skin, fingernails, lipsLoss of consciousness or coma If you suspect that someone has overdosed on oxymorphone, call 9-1-1 immediately. First-responders should be able to revive the victim with  Narcan  if they are notified soon enough. Oxymorphone Side Effects Even without having an overdose, oxymorphone can cause side effects, therefore knowing how long the medication remains in your system is important. Some of the side effects can include: NauseaVomitingLoss of appetiteDry mouthStomach painHeadacheDizzinessConfusionExtreme tirednessDifficulty falling asleep or staying asleepItchingFever If any of the above side effects become severe or do not go away, you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Dangerous Side Effects Some of the side effects of oxymorphone can be serious. If you experience any of the following seek medical attention immediately: Chest painFast heartbeatSeizuresRashHivesSwelling of the eyes, face, lips, mouth, tongue or throatHoarsenessDifficulty breathing or swallowingExtreme drowsinessFaintingLightheadedness when changing positions How to Spot the Signs of a Pain Killer Addiction